It’s the same old story, year after year, and it’s getting a bit tiresome. But the financial woe surrounding the Central Coast Mariners has once again reared its ugly head.
This time it’s been highlighted due to foundation coach Lawrie McKinna stepping down from his ambassador role after growing disenchanted with the direction of the club.
The current Gosford mayor didn’t explain his decision in length, but there was a poorly concealed swipe at the Mariners ownership in his departing statement.
“It has been well documented we used to have the best community model and hopefully we will continue to be the best community-minded club in the A-League,” he said.
His use of the past tense suggests that under the ownership of Mike Charlesworth, who became majority shareholder in March last year, the club have strayed from their original philosophy.
Sound familiar? Only recently we saw a club sack one of the best coaches in the league for straying from club philosophy, yet unfortunately there’s no chance of the Mariners’ ownership getting the same treatment from fans.
Much of the uproar has been down to Charlesworth looking to send matches into North Sydney in a bid to grow the club’s fan-base. On Friday night, the Mariners will play Melbourne Victory at North Sydney Oval, and another match will follow in February at Brookvale Oval.
It’s nothing new, the same strategy was introduced last season, and in all fairness it’s not a bad way to get on board fans that haven’t taken to Sydney FC.
But Charlesworth’s ambition to play four games in North Sydney for 2015-16 is going too far, and coupled with McKinna’s flight it has fans and media speculating that the Englishman may move to relocate the club in the future, which he has denied.
The whole affair of moving games to North Sydney is much ado about nothing at the moment. It’s a business-savvy plan that could reap financial benefits, but four games would mean Gosford only get about 10 home games a season. That’s not good enough.
Charlesworth is adamant that the current rental agreement with Gosford Council for Central Coast Stadium is unsustainable, and he’s been clear that the club need to attract 10,000 fans just to break even each match. McKinna has stated that it costs the Mariners just $7500 per game.
Charlesworth, when Gosford Council took over management of the stadium in February this year, declared that the Mariners wanted a better deal. A better deal than $7500 per game? You’re having a laugh.
Reportedly, though, only 3000 spectators are required at North Sydney Oval for the club to break even.
“How many games we play in Gosford or North Sydney in the future is down to some degree to the attitude of the councils,” Charlesworth said last year.
“We are largely driven by survival and have been for nine years now. And if one council wants us more than another then we take that into account.
“The fact is it is about a third of the price for us to play at North Sydney Oval as compared to Bluetongue [Central Coast Stadium].
“I don’t see us necessarily leaving Gosford, and I don’t want to see that and don’t expect that, but if North Sydney Council offers us a good deal then it’s tempting.”
So the increase in games heading to North Sydney could in fact be a thinly-veiled threat to Gosford Council. Lower the rent, or we’ll go elsewhere. Charlesworth has a right to try and save and make money where he can, but the problem is that Gosford Council are themselves fairly cash-strapped.
McKinna’s role as mayor makes the situation messy. He has a duty of care to the entire Gosford population to get the best deal possible for the community, but it’s also unlikely he’d be looking to rort his beloved Mariners.
Regardless, the main question is why the Mariners find themselves in such dire financial straits. And why, if they only need 10,000 spectators to break even, are they abandoning hope of obtaining that in Gosford?
First things first – finances. Under the tenure of Peter Turnbull and managing director Lyall Gorman, whose reputation has gone from strength to strength, the club posted a profit for 2007-08.
It was the first time in the club’s history, and they boasted an annual turnover of $7 million, indicating a profit of about $300,000.
Granted, that was with an average of more than 15,000 per game, but it was also without the $2.55 million TV money to cover the salary cap. Sponsors and corporate supporters accounted for $3 million, largely arriving in the shape of many small contributors.
It was the epitome of a well-run community club, and that’s what the Mariners were all about. It’s all what football is about. We want the big city clubs, but there’s also something beautiful about small community clubs. The Mariners were extremely active during McKinna’s reign, constantly getting out and interacting with local football clubs and schools.
But the last published figures had the Mariners running at a $1 million deficit in the 2012-13 year, when they had that magic average of 10,000 and were still without the substantial TV funding.
So why hasn’t that original community model been sustainable? Surely if they were engaging with the community as much as they were in earlier years, sponsorship could be found and attendances would rise.
SD Eibar, La Liga’s smallest club, hail from a town of just 27,000 and have an average attendance of less than 5000. Amazingly, they sit mid-table in Spain’s top division, with a total wage bill of about $4 million and a turnover of less than $4.5 million.
Don’t tell me they can survive and run at a profit, which they had been doing in Spain’s second division, while the Mariners cannot. Eibar’s stadium is also owned by local council.
There is nothing wrong with expanding a supporter base, Charlesworth is targeting a region that hasn’t yet nailed its allegiance to any club. Again, it’s business-savvy.
But the Gosford community have shown they can average between 10,000 and 15,000, so why the partial abandonment of its loyal fans? Why not, instead, encourage the North Sydneysiders to travel to Gosford for matches? It makes more sense to build on already solid foundations, rather than start afresh in a new environment.
That can easily be done with two matches per season, there’s no reason for four.
At the current rate, Charlesworth would be better off renaming the club the Northern Mariners and admitting that the club wants to cover both regions.
He’s the owner, and unfortunately that’s the reality of modern football. But it’s not fair on the loyal fans in Gosford, who are being alienated, and the FFA should be attempting to halt the process.
Having the Mariners impede on Sydney territory is not desirable to anyone. With a third Sydney team mooted for the southern region, would that not effectively mean three and a half Sydney teams? Not good.
The Mariners should never stray too far away from Gosford, the Central Coast offers too much to Australian football.
Where would our national side be without the Mariners? Mat Ryan, Mile Jedinak, Alex Wilkinson and Trent Sainsbury are all first team players. Tommy Rogic, when fit, and Oliver Bozanic can be included as squad players, not to mention Bernie Ibini and the emerging Musti Amini.
They’ve made the finals seven out of nine seasons, every time in the top four, not just the six. They’ve been premiers twice, champions once and grand finalists another three times. No one can deny how impressive that is.
Engaging with the Gosford community is the best way to save the Mariners and turn them into a sustainable venture, and it’s the best way to keep the club’s loyal fans onside. Crowds were at 10,000 just two seasons ago, and about 9600 last season. At the current average of 7600, that’s not an unattainable gap to get back to 10,000. It just requires widespread engagement.
The way this is going, something’s got to give. Hopefully that’s Charlesworth and his ploy to encroach into Sydney territory. The only problem is, are the FFA prepared to back the Mariners if he jumps ship? You’d bloody hope so.
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
Not personally. But my information, vague as it might be, is that there are buyers out there, just #CharlesworthOut likes his chances of moving to North Sydney and doesn't want to sell, even at 50% more than he paid for it. John Singleton is a possible interested investor, with plenty of connections. Lives on the coast, proven marketeer. With Lawrie McKinna there is a proven business model, that shown itself to be profitable. If FFA can't find an investor, preferably in conjunction with the community, then they can't really be trying. Take the Licence off him before he ruins the franchise completely.
Punter
Guest
AR, like Bondy says have some knowledge of NSW would help. Newcastle has a strong history of football, strong NSL connections, titans, likewise strong league area, so neither of this good comparison. Suns, yes, WSW, yes, all clubs in infancy and behind enemy lines. Now compare their average crowds against the total average crowds of their respective competition and CCM comes out quite well. Long term project.
alicesprings
Guest
Relevance?? Soccer, Rugby, Aussie rules, Field hockey..the type of sport played is irrelevant. Changing direction quickly on that surface is a recipe for disaster. Rugby and Aussie rules players have the added risk of being slammed into a concrete like surface. Also for the record the SCG doesn't have a drop in pitch…neither does the GABBA. MCG and Adelaide oval does.
AR
Guest
Just out of curiosity, do you have another billionaire owner at the ready once you manage to kick Charlesworth out?
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
The Coasties have obviously warmed to Football to some extent. They voted Lawrie McKinna in as Mayor!!
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
With the Lawrie McKinna model of community engagement and marketing we used to average around 12,500, and be profitable. So why aren't we getting those crowds now - An owner who doesn't know nor care about the coast, looking to make money in more lucrative markets - Almost zero local advertising. Suspect deliberately running down crowds to bolster his argument for moving the team. - Murdoch control of local paper???? If so, totally biased to NRL. Lawrie McKinna, now Mayor of gGosford, walked out on them in disgust at the present management. Unless they fix this rift, CCM doomed. #CharlesworthOut
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
" its something Charlesworth,an absentee owner cant get into his noggin. Time to jettison him as per Clive,or at least bring in partners who may have a more sympathetic view to building up the club on the Coast." Spot on. #CharlesworthOut
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
Would help if #CharlesworthOut hadn't fallen out with the local association. Just going the Clive Palmer/GC route at the moment.
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
The FFA pays to have a decent team to make a decent, even League. They won't give them the money and then tolerate a cheap easy beat team. Foxtel & Hyundai would soon tell them where to get off if they tried that.
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
And the SCG, MCG etc has a drop in wicket!! And they play out of cricket season, when the surface can be prepared for them, not cricketers. (Question: Does Olympic stadium even have a wicket. Cricket played there pretty rarely)
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
Lawrie McKinna had a successful model of community engagement, local marketing, and crowds around 12,500, and actually profitable as well as successful. Present management has just ignored this, are just incompetent. Lawrie has walked away in disgust. Can only suspect that #CharlesworthOut is deliberately running down crowds at Gosford to make his case to move the tam to more lucrative market. Well F... O... Make your own club, don't steal ours. As to $7.500 for hiring the stadium. Cheapest in the country. But I don;t know what that covers. Groundsmen, cleaners, maintenance, lighting. Sounds like a bargain to me compared with many far, far smaller venues. Also, who makes money from food and drink outlets ? Don't know. An awful lot of don;t knows here. Yes, NSO is cheaper. But it's a one off extra rental for them, not their sole income for the ground. The spectator experience is abysmal, facilities ancient, pitch unsuitable. No parking anywhere near.
RichardB, Sydney
Guest
My family are 3 year members. We live Upper north Shore. All 100% want games at Gosford, 0% at NSO or Brookvale #CharlesworthOut needs to do some basic market research. As well as basic marketing n the Coast and upper North Shore.
AR
Guest
So Fuss thinks that GWS and CCM are comparable examples - purely because both are 1) sporting clubs; and 2) "in their infancy". Profound analysis. Forget whether its a regional or metropolitan club, the size of their respective markets, the history and sporting culture of their areas, the ownership structure, the strategy of each club is adopting...apparently "infancy" is the key feature. Ok. In that case, what about the Titans, they're far closer in age to CCM than the Giants. Or the Suns? Or Newcastle Jets, their closest neighbour? Or every other Aleague club who are also "in their infancy"..? All these must be comparable too. Nonsense comment.
Punter
Guest
Exactly!!!!
Bondy
Guest
I dont think AR intentionally baits ,I think he forgets and doesn't realise how young the HAL is and the non culture for AFL outside of Victoria and the strength of the rugby codes on the eastern seaboard .. Just on the Mariners we can't continue to sell and expect to be competitive, as soon as players get the opportunity they flee quicker than a greyhound and I dont think the community understands nor likes that type of business/behaviour, players who've recently moved on Ryan, Rogic,Wilkinson, Ibini, Amini, Boich, McGlinchey R Griffiths McBreen etc and G Arnold ,not sustainable to be competitive we must be rational not irrational ..
Towser
Guest
Sorry about the link folks(from the other day,not Charlesworth still looking for an ideal spot for the Mariners),here's the real one. http://blog.id.com.au/2014/population/australian-population/the-50-largest-australian-cities-and-towns-by-population/
Towser
Guest
The Mariners need look no further than their Northern neighbours Newcastle to see what is the key for clubs in smaller population centres and its something Charlesworth,an absentee owner cant get into his noggin. Time to jettison him as per Clive,or at least bring in partners who may have a more sympathetic view to building up the club on the Coast. No time for sentiment in modern football a fact as a Wednesday fan I know too well. Newcastle(although sharing with RL) is as close to West Sydney in relation to it's football history that you can get to in Australia,hence despite a litany of dodgy owners going back into the NSL and often dire performances,it can still pull in decent crowds. It's why clubs like Bolton,Blackburn,Sunderland,Norwich in England with small populations can pull in over 20,000 when in the EPL or as mentioned above Geelong in the AFL.its called tradition,something the Central Coast doesn't have in football. Therefore it takes time,patience,perseverance and above all moolah to back up the previous three to create that tradition. Central Coast already have two major factors up their sleeve in creating that tradition. One it has been the only Major sports club on the Central Coast for the last 10 years and actually been quite succesful and two it has a home ground that is an ideal fit for the population's area. Clive had the moolah ,but NFI how to run a football club,indeed that it wasn't something you treated as stuff you dug out of the ground,Charlesworth just simply doesn't have enough Moolah to persevere with the long term building of a Central Coast Football club. Hence the desperate,lets play at NSO and live in hope,moves. Even if you accept the alternative a total shift to Northern Sydney,he doesn't have enough moolah alone. People seem to forget that unless there's an inkling of tradition in any sport today,you have to work the opposite way round to how football/sporting clubs developed 100 odd years ago. They grew from organic fan support from within the community,the money followed. Today unless your a West Sydney/Newcastle you need the moolah to generate the community support,that's the biggest problem facing the FFA with clubs like the Mariners and Gold Coast with zilch football tradition. Population doesn't always tell the full story,in fact the Central Coast is placed 9th on an Australian City and towns list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STl224mhlA8 If a solution cant be found for the Central Coast,then looking at this list ,theirs little hope for other areas(apart from those areas above them on the list),because apart from Wollongong I cant see any areas that would be considered to have any real traditional football support.
rmc
Guest
Generalisation: CC is a 'white flight' destination. Western Sydney is a little less affordable for housing these days but not attractive enough for people who want to be surrounded by ethnics. So a lot would move to CC and have an anglo looking lifestyle. CC people would then work in Northern Sydney areas and still live in CC. They'd rather have that commute than living in Western Sydney and driving the M4 and M5 and being surrounded by ethnics on the train. The owners of CCM know this too well and identify the connection of North Shore and CC as the core of their growth I suppose.
roosters14
Guest
Lol they pay one of the lowest stadium rents in pro sport in this country. Australians baffle me they seem to think every club has to be massive or they dont have a right to exist in a professional sense. Most english sides in the football league structure hail from towns and cities of 200-300k and less in many cases.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"By winning more games of football." BINGO! There was no big TV money when Eibar was playing in the lower divisions and winning their way to the top. Hence, if a club is well managed & administered, success can come with small crowds & low revenue.